Belly band: Extra support feels so good when your belly is at its largest. A postpartum belly band can help support your abdomen after delivery, when your abs may feel weak.

Giant pregnancy pillow: Supporting your belly and back while you sleep can minimize achiness and help you sleep better. Now is not the time to worry about taking up too much of the bed.

Waterproof bed liner: If your water breaks while you’re sleeping, you won’t soak the mattress.

Large water bottle with a bendable straw: The bendy straw is important. You want your partner to be able to give you a sip of water no matter what position you’re in during labor.

Comfy loungewear

For Baby

Baby supply lists are overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-time parent and don’t know exactly what you need. You can go all-out or take a more minimalist approach, depending on your style. All your baby really needs in the early days is a car seat, a safe place to sleep, and a few basics to stay clean, warm, and fed. Toys, baby swings, and even a stroller are extras at this point, although they’re handy to have. If you’re having a baby shower, check your wish list afterward and see which of the following is left to purchase:

Car seat (a local fire station can inspect it and teach you to install it correctly)

Your new baby’s other parent needs a labor bag, too. Providing labor support is still hard work. Get prepared with:

Energy-boosting snacks: Ideally, these are things you hold in one hand and scarf down quickly. Energy bars, cheese sticks, fruit, jerky. Ask the pregnant mom about any smelly snacks to avoid

Deodorant: Don’t offend her heightened sense of smell while she’s in labor

Breath mints: See above

Shower shoes

Comfy lounge-wear

If this isn’t your first baby, it’s nice to pick up a gift for older children to celebrate their new big sister/brother role. You can even label it as a present from the baby.

For the House

Whether you fling your doors open immediately or take some time to yourselves as a new family, eventually you’ll have visitors to see the baby. Make sure your house has necessities for heavier traffic:

Toilet paper

Paper towels

Hand soap

Dishwasher soap

Gentle laundry detergent

Extra cleaning sponges

Note: The extra sponges are not for the recovering mom. Write “toilet,” “sink,” and “counters” on sponges in permanent marker. When a guest asks, “Is there anything I can do?” you’ll be able to point them to the nearest dirty surface. The point of all the advance prep is to let you devote your attention to your beautiful newborn.

Jessica Sillers is a parenting and finance writer whose work has been featured in Pregnancy & Newborn, Headspace, and more. As a new mom herself, she’s passionate about helping other parents find the community and support they need. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading, and hiking.